Today's news

Made it back. Here's some news.TUITION VETO? Gov. Crist said throughout the session that he would not approve a hike in the cost of higher ed. Now that the bill is coming to his desk, he says, "I haven't decided for sure." Here's a compilation of some of the key items that passed and failed this session.GRIEF INVADES PROM: Dunedin High mourns the death of classmate Derek Teele at its prom. Teele died in a crash the night before.FROM THE OP-ED PAGES: Factions at Palm Harbor University High School need to work out their differences, as the school has too much good going for it. Issues of race, diversity and neighborhoods can be vexing for Pinellas County as it changes its school integration policy, Perspectives editor Jim Verhulst says. And, recent FCAT results lend weight to the arguments that the state misuses the scores, the Palm Beach Post says.LAKE COUNTY LOOKS TO PASCO: Pasco uses the eSembler program, which allows parents with Internet access to track their children's assignments and grades. Now Lake wants to follow the growing trend, the Orlando Sentinel reports.COMPUTER REBATE: Settlement of a class-action lawsuit between Microsoft and the state will put about $93-million worth of vouchers for computers and software into some of Florida's neediest schools, the Miami Herald reports. About 1,730 schools will benefit.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.